Stewart signed such artists as Rick Ross and Young Jeezy to the label before being named in June to the post once filled by Jay-Z. In that role, Stewart oversaw the development of new talent, managed producers and guided the label's vision.
He traveled between Atlanta and New York for his job, and was a graduate of Morehouse College.
Def Jam was founded in the mid-1980s by Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin.
Slideshow archive | Local events | Contests | Headlines at a glance
